Who Will Win the East Coast World Series? Only Pitching Will Tell

The two best teams in baseball will meet in the World Series, and oddly enough each is similar to the other.

Both have dynamite, strike-at-any-moment lineups loaded with former MVPs and future Hall-of-Famers. Both have lefty aces that were on the Cleveland Indians only a season ago. Both have inconsistent fireballers who, if on their game, are unhittable.

Both have two of the most established starting pitchers in baseball that look at the playoffs as time to step up their respective games and dominate. Both have bullpens that are somewhat shaky and both have closers with the highest number of playoff saves in baseball history.

That is exactly why the pitching matchups for each team will determine who is the 2009 World Series Champion. So here is a look at the pitching matchups for the World Series.

C.C. Sabathia vs. Cliff Lee

Sabathia can be the most dominant pitcher in baseball whether he throws 100 pitches or 140 pitches. He will be pitching on the biggest stage of his career and has so far shown that he can handle the pressure.

He won the ALCS MVP and has shown he can start on 3 days rest. He will be pitching to a primarily lefty hitting lineup in the Phillies and Ryan Howard should have fits trying to hit his offspeed pitches.

With all those accolades, the Yankees would seem to have the first game in the bag. However, Cliff Lee is the one lefty ace that can counter Sabathia's skill level and keep the Yankee hitters off balance.

Still one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball, Lee has proven that he can pitch in both the American and National League and has faced the Yankees many times before.

Furthermore, bottom of the lineup hitters like Robinson Cano, Hideki Matsui, and Nick Swisher will probably have more than a handful of trouble against Lee this series.

Outside of Howard, the Phillies lefties can hit left-handed pitchers on a consistent basis. With potent lineups on both sides, the team that gets ahead early is likely to give their starter a win (as long as the bullpen doesn't blow it).

A.J. Burnett vs. Pedro Martinez

Burnett is the most inconsistent pitcher on the Yankees staff. He also has a the best pure "stuff" that can rival any pitcher in baseball.

Burnett can throw a shutout, or allow six runs as he did in his last start. To win Game Two and possibly Game Five for the Yankees, Burnett will need to get ahead in the count so he can use his breaking ball early and often.

If he begins walking batters and is forced to throw fastballs late in counts, you can expect the Phillies lefties to tee off on the right-hander.

Pedro is a complete wild card for the Phillies. By inserting him into the No. 2 spot rather than Hamels, the Phillies are banking on him regaining some of that magic he had when he was with Boston.

Even if the magic is old and stale they are hoping for at least some to be left. For Pedro the key will be pitch count.

If the Yankees can foul off pitches early and be patient throughout the first few innings, Pedro's fragile arm will tire quickly. With a bullpen that will likely be used plenty during the Series, the Phils need to hope Pedro can at least get them past the 6th inning.

This is undoubtedly the most intrigueing matchup and it will probably come down to which starting pitcher can throw the least balls during the first three innings.

Cole Hamels vs. Andy Pettitte

Hamels, this year, has been the equivalent to Burnett. His ace "stuff" is still there, but sometimes just doesn't show up. Pitching in Yankee Stadium in Game Two would have probably helped his cause, considering the lefty-friendly confines of the Bronx, but the home crowd will give some of the balance his way. Facing a pitcher rather than a designated hitter will also help.

More importantly, Hamels will have the advantage of pitching with a lot of rest under his belt.

The more rest he receives the better, if last year's championship was any indication. With more than a week's rest to start Game One last season, Hamels came out dealing and pitched his way to a win.

If he can come close to replicating his seven-inning performance, the Yankees will have to rely heavily on Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira to pick up the slack from the right side of the plate.

If A-Rod and Teixeira can do just that, Andy Pettite will surely be pleased.

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